Paddle Harris Neck with Ogeechee Riverkeeper

Registration now open for August paddle trip

August 17, 2016

Special to Connect

Registration for the Ogeechee Riverkeeper’s August paddle trip is now open. Beginning at Harris Neck, this tour departs Saturday, Aug. 27, and is designed to appeal to lovers of wildlife. This family-friendly paddle trip accommodates participants of all ages and varying levels of paddling experience. The trip will begin at the Harris Neck Wildlife Refuge and continue through marshland teeming with wildlife, including crabs, osprey, dolphins, spoonbills and more. Participants will meet at 9 a.m. at the put-in point to unload boats and sign waivers. Paddlers should bring their own food, refreshments and a dry bag for personal items such as keys and cell phones. Outdoor attire is recommended, including a hat, tennis shoes or water shoes, and plenty of sunscreen. Those interested in joining the trip can register at www.ogeecheeriverkeeper.org by 4 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 26, as no registrations or rentals will be accepted after the deadline. ORK supporters who have an annual membership are especially encouraged to register and take part in monthly paddle trips, which are free to those who’ve already paid their membership fees. Non-members can also experience an exhilarating morning on the river by paying $35, which includes an annual membership. Additionally, there is a small fee for rental boats if paddlers do not have one. To make trips like this possible, Ogeechee Riverkeeper last month launched a new fundraising campaign, “Power the Paddle.” The nonprofit’s goal is to raise $6,500, which will allow Ogeechee Riverkeeper to buy additional kayaks and a new canoe trailer so they can accommodate larger groups on the water. Donors may contribute to this initiative online, and they have the opportunity to create their own fundraising pages, set goals, and share their pages with friends and family via social media. For instructions on how to set up your own fundraising page to compete for prizes, please visit http://ogeecheeriverkeeper.org/become-a-fundraiser/. In addition to supplying a donation, the top three donors/fundraisers (plus one guest each), will get to take the new kayaks on their first voyage on an exclusive and private paddle trip. The highest donor/fundraiser will win a handcrafted Greenland-style paddle donated by master woodworker and Ogeechee Riverkeeper board member Tim Goodson. The Harris Neck trip will feature an educational guide who will offer insights and interesting facts about marine life, geography and scenery as paddlers take it all in. Ogeechee Riverkeeper Watershed Outreach Coordinator Jesse Demonbreun-Chapman said he’s looking forward to seeing many returning and new paddle trip participants on Aug. 27. “We’re thrilled to arrange this scenic journey from Harris Neck Wildlife Refuge as it is the perfect way to enjoy our region’s aquatic creatures and birds from the water,” Demonbreun-Chapman said. For more information about the trips, email Demonbreun-Chapman at jesse@ogeecheeriverkeeper.org or call 866-942-6222, ext. 2. To learn more about Ogeechee Riverkeeper, please visit www.ogeecheeriverkeeper.org or call 866-942-6222.